Artists Assess Freedom of Expression in the Year 2020

February 20 2021

The Fritt Ord Foundation and TSL Analytics invite the public to a live-streamed launch of a report and discussion from 2 to 3.30 p.m. on Thursday, 11 March 2021.

Do artists believe that freedom of expression has been strengthened or weakened over the past five years? Which changes would they deem worthy of mention, and what specific experiences have they themselves had with a view to curtailments on freedom of expression? In what ways have freedom of expression and artistic freedom been subject to pressure? The report ‘Artists Assess Freedom of Expression in the Year 2020’ is a sequel to the preceding survey in 2014, highlighting events and trends in four fields: literature, dramatic art, visual art and film.

The report is the first publication in Fritt Ord’s Monitoring Project – The Status of Freedom of Expression in Norway 2020–21. It has been written by Tore Slaatta and Hanne M. Okstad of TSL Analytics. How does the report affect the work of the Freedom of Expression Commission, and is it possible to say anything about future developments?

Following an introductory presentation by Tore Slaatta, there will be a discussion featuring:

Pia Maria Roll, dramatic artist
Kjersti Løken Stavrum, chair of the Norwegian Freedom of Expression Commission
Gelawesh Waledkhani, visual artist

Moderator: Jonas Ekeberg, critic, curator and head of the House of Photography in Oslo

The report will be published on the Fritt Ord Foundation’s website at 12.00 noon on 11 March.

The seminar will be streamed here on Fritt Ord’s website as well as on its Facebook page.

News

Fritt Ord's grants for master’s degrees

May 11 2025

Is your master’s project about freedom of expression, social debate or journalism? If so, you can apply for a student grant from the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The Fritt Ord Foundation Prize for 2025 goes to satirical artists May Linn Clement, Marvin Halleraker and Morten Mørland

April 29 2025

The Fritt Ord Foundation Prize for 2025 is awarded to three representatives of Norwegian satirical art for challenging public opinion by standing up to power and for their biting humour: May Linn Clement, Marvin Halleraker and Morten Mørland.

Call for nominations: Free Media Awards 2025

March 14 2025

In collaboration with the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS of Hamburg, the Fritt Ord Foundation has allocated the Free Media Awards annually since 2004 to Eastern European journalists and media that defy every obstacle to tirelessly ensure independent press coverage. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the subsequent wave of disinformation clearly demonstrates the need for independent reporting in the region. Journalist, editorial teams and media companies in and from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and Hungary who make a contribution to press freedom through their investigative, independent reporting can be nominated for the Free Media Awards.

Civitates' Tech & Democracy open call

March 6 2025

Civitates – The European Democracy Fund is a pooled philanthropic fund that was set up in 2018 for the sole purpose of addressing democratic decline and closing civic space in Europe. The case for confronting these threats is growing increasingly urgent. Fritt Ord Foundation is one of the initiators and partners of Civitates.

Civitates has launched its Tech and Democracy open call to support organisations working to ensure safer, more inclusive online spaces (social media platforms, search engines etc.) by improving the enforcement of EU tech regulations at the national level.

This open call offers a unique opportunity to strengthen civil society’s role in holding the tech sector accountable, with a focus on key EU regulations such as the Digital Services Act, GDPR, AI Act or the European Media Freedom Act to name a few.